Steven Taylor on way out of Toon
August 25th 2010 14:33
News has broken this lunch time that 24 year old Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has been placed on the transfer list. A product of Newcastle's youth academy, the former England Under 21s captain's contract is up at the end of the season, and following the failure to agree a new deal, Taylor will now be leaving. He is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, but the Magpies are hopeful a sale will be completed, before the current transfer deadline passes in less than a weeks time, on August 31st.
Taylor made his debut at the age of 18 in the UEFA Cup back in 2004, and soon became a fan favourite, and key member of the Newcastle squad. Starting at right back, he soon became a battling centre back, and was in the running to be named new captain of the club this season, following the release of Nicky Butt. He has attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Everton and Aston Villa in the past, and was even linked with a move to Barcelona earlier this summer.
Newcastle fans will no doubt be split about the immenent departure of Taylor. While many Premier League fans would observe from the outside that he is one of our best players, almost every Newcastle fan I have spoken too will be glad to see him leave. Firstly, because he has become very injury prone over recent seasons, so has been missing a lot of the time anyway. And now with Fabricio Coloccini, Sol Campbell, Tamas Kadar, and the impressive Mike Williamson on our books, maybe it won't be such a loss.
Another factor though, is rumours about Taylor's attitude in recent times. Despite once being a fan favourite, his popularity has taken a huge hit of late. The fact that his contract talks broke down as he demanded a huge wage rise, will not help. But rumours have been rife for some time, that he is the hardest to get along with member of the squad, with several senior players such as Smith and Nolan, reportedly bringing to the manager's attention, their dissatisfaction at his attitude. Despite Taylor being the one hospitalised by a training ground bust up with Andy Carroll in march, he came out of it worse in the fan's eyes.
One thing I can say is that Steven Taylor gave me one of my best memories as a Newcastle United fan. Against Aston Villa in april 2007, he handled the ball when last man on the wall, but went down like he'd been shot, claiming to have saved it with his chest. When he realised the referee wasn't buying it, he took his red card, stood up and walked off. BRILLIANT!
Youtube clip of the handball
But I am not too disheartened by the news of his departure, even though I will admit one of our best players is leaving. We have cover in that position, and Taylor blatantly didn't fit in with the great cammoradory amongst the lads in the Newcastle squad. Also, it is better to cash in on him now, than lose him on a free next summer. Who knows, if we can recieve something around £5 million for him, this could go back into spending on new players. Then maybe, just maybe, we can sign Hatem Ben Arfa afterall.
But after six years of service in the first team, and growing up a Toon fan and local lad, i'm disappointed at Taylor's lack of loyalty, but wish him all the best. After all, he has done a great job at our club. But I am neither overly surprised, or upset, at the news of him being transfer listed.
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